MS 7163 Reproduction of portion of
Hishikawa Moronobu was as a Japanese artist known for popularizing the ukiyo-e genre of woodblock prints and paintings in the late 17th century. His representative works depict the world of the courtesan and the theater.
The collection consists of a reproduction of a portion of painting by Moronobu. The original painting is on a 7-meter-long scroll and depicts various scenes from theaters and the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters is Edo (Tokyo).
The print shows actors on the stage and members of the audience. Some of the latter, as well as the characters depicted by the actors, are named. A cover sheet includes a biographical sketch of the artist.
Please note that the contents of the collection and the language and terminology used reflect the context and culture of the time of its creation. As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today. The information within this collection does not reflect the views of the Smithsonian Institution or National Anthropological Archives, but is available in its original form to facilitate research.
NAA INV 10000029
Hishikawa Moronobu hitsu engeki no zu
Picture of a scene in a play at the theater, by Hishikawa Moronobu
17th century (original)
The reproduction was acquired in China by Dr. Rhea Blue in the 1930s. It was donated to the Smithsonian in 1970. It was transferred from the object collections of the Department of Anthropology to the National Anthropological Archives by Chang-su Houchins in March 1984.
The Tokyo National Museum holds the original painting in
MS 7163 Reproduction of portion of
Transliterations, translations, and other data furnished by Chang-su Houchins, Department of Anthropology. She consulted Richard Lane,
The collection is open for research.
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